Conveyer systems



J. M. A. HUBERT CONVEYER SYSTEMS Dec. 19, 19 61 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMay 5, 1958 Dec. 19, 1961 J. M. A. HUBERT CONVEYER SYSTEMS 6Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1958 Dec. 19, 1961 J. M. A. HUBERT CONVEYERSYSTEMS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 5, 1958 Dec. 19, 1961 J. M. A. HUBERTCONVEYER SYSTEMS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 5, 1958 Dec. 19, 1961 J. M.A. HUBERT CONVEYER SYSTEMS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 5, 1958 Dec. 19,1961 J. M. A. HUBERT CONVEYER SYSTEMS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 5, 1958United States Patent 3,013,4W QONVEYER SYSTEMS dean M. A. Hubert, Paris,France, assignor to Coinpaguie Francaise de lAtrique Uccidentale,Marseille, France, a company of France Filed May 5, 195%, Ser. No.732,8559 laims priority, application France May 6, 1957 2 Claims. ((Il.103-82) This invention relates to improved conveyor elements suitablefor conveying various kinds of divided solid and liquid materials aswell as articles and objects of relatively narrow elongated shape, inlarge quantities and over long distances.

When transporting materials in large quantities over comparatively greatdistances, as for instance from a minehead to a treating plant, railwaystation or harbour, etc., the cheapest means available at the presenttime include standard or narrow-gauge railways, belt conveyors, andpumping.

A factor detracting from the economical operation of railways, even ofnarrow gauge, is the discontinuous and intermittent character of theiroperation requiring the provision of comparatively heavy and expensivetracks in relation to the loads to be transported owing to theintermittent loading of the tracks.

Belt conveyors are of limited usefulness over long distances especiallyowing to their high power consumption due to the great amount of beltdistortion and friction. Moreover they are useless in connection withliquids and solids requiring protection during transport.

Pumping is convenient with liquids unless corrosive but requires the useof expensive large-diameter and pressure resistant conduits forconveying large amounts of materials. For pumping solid and pulverulentmaterials great amounts of suspending liquid are required entailing theexpenditure of considerable amounts of excess power, up to 40% and moreof the useful load.

It is a general object of this invention to provide improved conveyingelements which will combine many of the desirable features of thevarious conventional conveying elements listed above while being free oftheir drawbacks. Another object is to provide improved economicaltransportation means for large quantities of goods over comparativelylong distances, which will be especially useful in underdeveloped areasof the world where means of transportation are inadequate ornon-existent.

In accordance with one basic aspect of the invention, the systemcomprises elongated semi-rigid tubular container elements each mountedon a plurality of roller truck running on a track.

By way of indication, the tubular containers may be, say, It) to 15 cm.in diameter and about 25 meters long, and each is supported on asuitable number of spaced single-axle truck having small-diameterrollers running on a narrow-gauge track, or a monorail. The containersare disposed in an uninterrupted string or chain in a preferredembodiment of the invention, and preferably this string extendscontinuously around a two-way track forming a closed loop between theends of the transportation line. Also, in a preferred form of theinvention this chain is continuously driven around the loop by impartingdrive impulses to spaced points of the chain from power stations spacedalong the line. Means are then provided for loading and unloading thecontainers while in motion as they move past loading and unloadingstations.

The semi-rigid character of the containers, which may be made, e.g., ofsuitable reinforced plastic sheet material, enables them readily to takeup considerable variations in the elevation and grade of the track.

3,013,499 PatentedDec. 19, 1961 'ice For conveying liquids closedtubular containers may be used, provided with suitable filling anddischarging means. Where solids are to be conveyed, the tubularcontainers are slotted along an uppermost generatrix and closure meansare provided along the edges of the slot. Matters are preferably soarranged that all necessary operations on the containers, including theopening and closure thereof and loading and unloading are automaticallyperformed as the containers move past corresponding stations.

While the containers may be made of light gauge sheet metal, preferablycorrugated in the longitudinal direction, a preferred constructioninvolves the use of plastic sheet materials reinforced with steel Wirepreferably both in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Theresulting tubular containers are stiff enough to be self-supportingunder full load, While possessing enough flexibility to conform tochanges in direction and grade of the track as required by theconsiderable length of the containers.

The tracks may comprise two-rail tracks conventionally supported on aballast and sleepers. Alternatively an overhead track may be used and inone desirable construction a catenary suspension is used and the trackmay be a monorail supported within a box-girder suspended from thecatenary and housing the tubular containers within it. Obviously a givenline may contain both ground track sections and overhead track ormonorail sections in which case the trucks may be provided with a firstpair of rollers for riding the ground track rails, and another roller orpair of rollers for riding the monorail or overhead track.

The invention contemplates various systems for im parting drive to thetrucks. One way is to provide an endless cable extending alongside thetrack and coupled with suitable drive means provided on the trucks. Inanother embodiment some or all of the trucks may be self-propelled.

However, as already mentioned, maximum benefit is probably derived fromthe invention when the tubular containers form a continuous stringaround a closed loop between the terminals of the line, since thisachieves maximum flow rate together with uniform loading. In this aspectthe novel system has a close similarity to a closed-loop hydraulicconduit line, in which the conduit walls are bodily moved together withthe material being itransported, thereby simultaneously driving andprotecting it. In such an arrangement, a particularly advantageousmethod of powering the system is to provide fixed power stations atspaced points along the line, which serve to impart short drive impulsesto the trucks as these move past each station. These drive pulses aretransmitted through the continuous string of interconnected trucks so asto impart a bodily movement thereto.

in one form of such a drive system, each power station comprises anendless drive chain or the like extending alongside the line over alimited distance. Such a drive belt may be arranged to engagefrictionally the uppermost points of the truck rollers as they move pastthe station, thereby imparting to the trucks a linear forward velocityone half the linear velocity of the, belt. Such a driving arrangement isespecially desirable in connection with the monorail type of systemmentioned above wherein each truck has a single symmetrical roller fromthe axle of which the tubular containers are suspended.

in a modified form of this system, especially applicable to double-railtracks, the endless drive belt at each station may have driving lugsprojecting from its outer surface into engagement with the truck axlesor other suitable parts of the trucks. This requires that asubstantially equal spacing be provided between the driving lugs on thebelt and between the truck axles on the track, although some latitude ispermissible in this connection.

Another method of driving the trucks both on a ground track andmonorail-4s to provide the endless belt in the form of tWo parallelclosely spaced belt sections, or a single longitudinally slotted belt,means being provided for gripping a suitable projection on each truck,such as an extension of its axle, between said belt sections or in theslot for the limited distance where the truck is moving past the belt.

Although particular emphasis is laid on the case where the tubularelements form a continuous string, it should be understood that in somecases it may be found convenient to provide and maintain a predeterminedspacing between all, or some, of the tubular containers, as when it isdesired to remove and insert tubular container units from and into thechain in accordance with current capacity requirements. A constantspacing may be maintained between adjacent elements all along the roundtrip, by coupling all the elements to an endless cable or a plurality ofendless cables or belts spaced along the line.

In the case of self-propelled trucks, a sufficiently rigid support maybe obtained therebetween by providing long coupling rods or links which,if required, may in turn be supported on intermediate trucks riding thetrack.

In accordance with know railway practice, uniform spacing between theelements may be maintained by dividing the line into sections in each ofwhich power is applied to the motors carried by the self-propelledtrucks by way of relay mechanisms in such a manner that one element isonly allowed to enter a section after the preceding element has leftthat section; any suitable interlocking means, mechanical or electronicor otherwise, might also be used.

It will be seen that the conveying system comprising the conveyerelements of the invention when seen from one angle has indisputablekinship with conventional ground and overhead rail conveyances. However,it radically differs therefrom in the fact that while such rail systemsare basically discontinuous, i.e., the track is heavily loaded forrelatively brief periods of time and is idle for long interveningperiods, the novel system of the invention is practically continuous inoperation, each section of the line being constantly under acomparatively light load. This manifestly achieves great economy in thestrength requirement of the track. The draft force required is, ofcourse, substantially the same in both cases; but since this force cannow be derived from continuously, rather than intermittently, operativesources, the overall power expenditure is greatly reduced.

From another angle there exists a definite similarity between the novelconveying system and a fluid pumping system, as already mentioned.However, whereas in a pumping system a large proportion of the powerinput is used in overcoming friction forces, viscous drag and the likepassive resistances, such resistances are minimized herein since thepower is applied to rolling stock. This enables the use of relativelyhigh displacement velocities and a corresponding reduction in the pipediameters required; also, since the materials being displaced are atatmospheric pressure, the wall thickness of the necessary pipes islikewise reduced.

In spite of this there is a striking resemblance betwee this system anda fluid pipeline system in that aspect of the invention where thecontainers form a continuous string or chain to which drive pulses areapplied from power stations at spaced points of the chain. Such powerstations then play a function equivalent to that of pumping stations.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of conveying means ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is fragmentary side view corresponding to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a filling station for filling a tubularelement with liquid on line Ili-Ili of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment wherein theconveying elements are self-powered;

FIG. 6 is a developed view of part of an element illustrating thereinforcing means thereof;

FIG. 7 is a side View of part of an overhead track and catenary supporttherefor;

FIG. 8 is a section on line VIli-Vill of FIG. 7;

KG. 9 is view similar to FIG. 7 relating to a modification of thecatenary support;

FIG. 10 is a section on line X-X of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is diagram illustrating the layout of a conveying systemaccording to the invention at one end of the line;

FIG. 12 is a vertical section of a monorail conveying system accordingto the invention, on line XII-Xll of FIG. 13;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side view of the system of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a reduced-scale view of the system embodiment shown in FIGS.12 and 13 with its power drive mechanism;

FIG. 15 is a section similar to FIG. 12 showing details of the powerdrive;

FIGS. 16 and 18 are transverse vertical sections of further conveyingsystems according to the invention with their power drive mechanisms;and

FIGS. 17 and 19 are partly diagrammatic side views on a reduced scale ofthe structures respectively illustratcd in FIGS. 16 and 18.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a system forconveying liquids. The system comprises a container in the form of atube section 1 of semirigid character closed at its ends by end walls1a. By way of indication the tube diameter may be in a range of from 1to 3 decimeters and the length of the tube element may amount to severaldekameters, so that the order of magnitude of the weight of liquid withwhich the ele ment 1 is loaded may be a few tons. This load isdistributed among a suitable number of trucks which, in thisconstruction, each comprise a single axle 2 carrying small flangedwheels or rollers 3 at its ends, which ride the tracks 4.

The tube container 1 is supported upon each axle preferably through aload distributor plate 5 a substantial area of which is engaged by theunderside of the tube both forward and rearward of the axle, so as tominimize the unsupported length of tube between axles. The spacingbetween adjoining truck axles may be from 1 to several meters in lengthas required.

The gauge of the track formed by the rails 4 is on the order of a fewdecimeters. Extending parallel to and spaced from said first track is areturn track comprising a pair of rails 4a. It will be understood thatloaded tube elements may be continually running on track 4 while emptytube elements are running on track 4a.

In the construction being described the tubular container elements aredriven by an endless cable 6 which extends between each pair of rails 4and 40, being supported at intervals upon rollers 7 journalled betweenthe rails. Driving engagement between this cable and the rolling stockis effected by clamps 8 which may, as shown, project from the undersideof the plates 5. Each clamp consists of two parts which embrace thecable 6 between them and are formed with outturned flanges 8a at theirends to permit automatic camming actuation of the clamps to opencondition as by means of suitably positioned rollers or ramps adapted tobe engaged by said flanges wherever required to cause the clamps toengage, or release, the cable.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an arrangement for loading liquid into thetubular container elements in motion. The elements ride past an overheadtrough 9 supported alongside the track and containing the liquid to betransported. Projecting upwards from the forward end of tube element 1is a pipe 10 bent to inverted U shape as shown to provide a siphon andhaving its outer end 19a directed forwardly and cut to a bevel toprovide a scoop. This scoop 10a is adapted to dip into the trough toscoop out liquid therefrom. The inner end 1% of the pipe lltl projectsinto the container element and is enlarged as shown, and contains alightweight ball valve 11 freely positioned therein and cooperating withapertures in said pipe end 10b to act as a float valve. When thecontainer element is full the ball 11 floats and seals the inner inletof pipe 14). The entire pipe lli is preferably made of flexible materialand, as the container element approaches the filling station, theflexible pipe 10 is arranged to be distorted as indicated at 9 by asuitable ramp or incline, until it has penetrated the trough. A similardevice is used for moving the scoop pipe 10 out of the trough at the farend of the latter, e.g., by a suitably inclined end wall 9 of thetrough.

The container elements may be discharged of their liquid contents bygravity. Thus a discharge opening may be provided at the rear end ofeach container element and the elements may be passed at the dischargeend of the line over a track section at a steep grade.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. a similar pair of parallel tracks 4 and4a are provided for respectively supporting the loaded and emptyconveyer elements. The conveyer elements in this construction are in theform of openable tubular containers. Thus, each element comprises atrough structure 15 made of thin-gauge sheet metal or, preferably,suitable reinforced plastic sheet. One suitable construction for thereinforced plastic sheet material is to mould it with a reinforcingnetwork of high-tensile steel wire or the like, e.g., as shown in FIG.6, where there are shown parallel spaced longitudinal wires 50 andcross-wires 51 in zigzag. The trough-like container is moulded orextruded from such material in the somewhat expanded shape indicated at15 in FIG. 5. When filled with heavy, non-pulverulent solid material itmay assume the fully expanded or spread-out shape shown at FIG. 5, left.

The free upper edges of the trough are formed, in a known manner, withlips or flanges 15a, 15b bent in the same direction, so that they can bemade to interlock as shown at FIG. 5, right, when the two side walls ofthe trough are forced towards each other as by suitable rollers actingon the outer surfaces of the walls. The container then assumes a closedtubular shape which is retained due to the inherent resiliency of thesheet material. Where required to open the element, rollers are arrangedto act on the wall surfaces to force them further inwards until theinterlocking lips snap apart, and the trough then assumes and retainsits open condition again owing to its resiliency. However, any othersuitable closure means may be provided for the trough sides instead ofthe interlocking flanges shown, e.g., slide-fastener means may be used.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, one or more of the trucks for each elementare shown as being self-powered. Any suitable motor means may be used,and may be mounted at any suitable position, as under suitable encasingbulges formed in the bottom of the container element. It is to be notedthat the power required for each truck is extremely low so thatsmall-size electric motors 16 may be used. Further, in view of the smalldiameter of the wheels or rollers 3 said wheels may be directly affixedto the motor drive shaft. Electric power is supplied to the motor 16 byway of a sliding trolley or shoe 17 riding a power rail 18 supportedupon an insulating longitudinal member 19 which in turn is supportedabove the ground by spaced posts 20. The live rails 18 are supportedbetween both tracks 4 and 4a so as to employ a common supportingstructure.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 overhead tracks are usedsuspended from catenaries supported on spaced gantry towers or mastssuch as 21. Thus each supporting structure may be V-shaped and comprisea pair of upwardly diverging lattice masts 21, see FIG. 8, sup ported ona base 22 by means of stays 23. A cross member 24 interconnects the topsof the masts. Each V-support may further comprise a pair of upwardlyconverging upper members 25 supporting a catenary cable 26 from which atrack apron or girder extending over the cross members 24, is suspendedby means of double slings 27. In this construction the tracks comprise apair of parallel horizontally spaced monorail tracks interconnected bysuitable bracing means; the trucks ride the monorails and the tubularcontainer elements 1, which may be of a type similar to that shown,e.g., in FIG. 1, may be suspended from said trucks through any suitablemeans an exemplary form of which will be later described.

In the modified construction of FIGS. 9 and 10, each V-support comprisesa pair of diverging masts 29 interconnected at their tops by a tie cable34 and maintained by stays 31. Attached to the upper ends of the mastsare catenary cables 32 from which double slings 2'7 serve to suspend thetracks girder. The tracks may be in the form of monorails as in thepreceding embodiment or, alternatively, may be two-rail tracks disposedin superposed relation, and supported in a lattice box-girder 33,defining two floors on each of which is a pair of rails similar to whatis shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 or FIG. 5, supporting the tubular containerelements 34.

The V-supports of the type shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 provide a convenientway of supporting an overhead power line comprising the conductors 45suspended through suitable cables or tie-members 4% and insulators 44from the tops of the diverging masts 29.

In both embodiments just described with reference to .FIGS. 7 and 8 andFIGS. 9 and 10, the conveyer means are, or may be, provided as monorailconveyers as mentioned above. FIGS. 12 and 13 now to be describedillustrate one suitable arrangement for such monorail conveyersembodying the invention.

As shown, the single overhead rail 6 is supported at intervals on thelower horizontal legs of C-brackets 61 suitably of channelcross-sectional shape. The upper horizontal legs of the brackets aresupported on a continuous channel member 62. The rail es and channel 62,constitute the lower and upper longitudinal elements of a lattice girderhaving the C-brackets 61 as vertical spacer members and furtherincluding cross bracing provided by flat elements 63. In case of tracksof considerable length all or part of the assembly comprising monorail60, vertical spacers 61, channel member 62 and flat bracers 63 aredesirably replaced by a box-girder which may be made of stamped orpress-formed steel sheet, suitably perforate. Secured on top of each ofthe vertical elements 61 is a clevis member 64 supporting a pivot 65 onwhich the lower ends of rigid bars or cables 66 are pivoted forsuspension from catenary supports.

Riding the single rail 60 is a series of flanged rollers 67 eachjournalled on a pivot 76- projecting from the upper end of a dependingarcuate bracket 68 the lower horizontal arm of which supports thetubular container element 69 which, as shown, may be of the openabletype above described with reference to FIG. 5.

Preferably the flat bottom section of tubular element 69 is secured to abedplate 84 for reinforcing it in the area of engagement with thebracket 68 and distributing the support reaction force therefrom over asubstantial length of said tubular element. The bedplate has a boss S5projecting from its under side into engagement with a socket in thehorizontal bracket arm to retain the tubular element in positionthereon. Such removable connection makes it possible very easily andquickly to separate the tubular element from its supporting brack- 7ets, e.g., for loading the container element or for replacing a damagedelement.

A balancing weight may be provided on the lower bracket leg to preventlateral displacement of the tubular element from the vertical plane ofthe rail 60 by more than a predetermined amount in case of strong sidewinds. The weight may be made of metal or concrete.

In providing a double monorail track according to the invention withboth tracks side by side, two sets of C- brackets or girders may beprovided back to back and firmly secured to each other in pairs.

The tubular container elements such as 69 constituting adjacent sectionsof predetermined standard length are preferably interconnected toprovide a continuous chain. Such interconnection may be effected in thefollowing way, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13. Non-rotatably secured onthe pivots 70 of the rollers 67 to either side of the rollers, areflanges 71 carrying suitable means, such as depending clamps as shown,for securing thereto cables 72 thus serving to interconnect theconsecutive roller pivots. The cables used have sufficient tensilestrength to withstand the draft force developed in a long continuous setof tubular elements only selected ones of which are positively drivenalong the rail 60.

The drive may be accomplished in a variety of convenient ways one ofwhich will now be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. Anendless drive belt 73 in the form of a V-belt has its lower leaf appliedinto engagement with the upper surfaces of the peripheries of rollers 67by presser rollers 74 biassed downwardly by springs 75. Each presserroller 74 is journalled in a clevis 77 secured to the lower end of apivot pin 76 surrounded by spring 75 and extending through the channelmember 62. Additional guide means 73 are provided through which thepivot rods 76 extend to retain said rods vertical. The belt 73 is drivenfrom a motor 79 which may be mounted on a V-support 80 of the catenarysuspension system, the drive belt being trained about a pulley securedon the motor shaft.

Rotatably mounted on a nearby V-support 81 is a pulley 82 imparting anadjustable tension to the drive belt 73. Further intermediate rollers 83supported on hearings spaced along the span between supports 88 and S1engage the underside of the upper leaf of drive belt 73 to preventexcessive sag.

It will be understood that the drive system just described includingdrive belt 73 and the power means therefor are provided in only aselected one or selected ones of the spans such as the span between 80and 81, of the catenary system. Such spans therefore are subjected tosubstantially greater loading than are the normal spans of the catenarysystem and said spans should be provided correspondingly shorter.Alternatively, the drive and power system described may be supportedbetween a pair of independent supports which may conveniently beprovided at either side of a main support of the catenary system.

When the drive belt 73 is displaced by motor 79 at a certain linearvelocity equal to 2V in the direction indicated by arrow F, the rollers67 are rotated by the belt to displace the tubular elements 69 at areduced linear velocity V in the opposite direction as indicated byarrow F and owing to the interconnecting cables 72 the entire chain oftubular elements is correspondingly displaced. Any suitable number ofpower driving systems of the kind shown in FIG. 14 may be provided alongthe full length of the conveyer line to impart incremental draftimpulses to selected points of the continuous chain of tubular elements,whereby said chain will be bodily propelled round the two-way track. Itwill be noted that the resulting system bears an unmistakableresemblance to a large closed-loop fluid-circulation system along whichthe fluid is impelled by a number of pumping stations spaced along thesystem.

While the friction belt drive was above described with reference to themonorail embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 13, it will be understoodthat a similar drive system can be applied to the other embodimentsdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1-2 and FIG. 5. it may simply be notedthat since in the latter embodiments the rollers or wheels such as 3 aresomewhat tapered in shape, a cylindrical or grooved axial extension maybe provided outwardly or inwardly of said wheels for engagement by thefriction belt.

Another type of endless belt drive for a continuous conveyor systemaccording to the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, wherein anendless drive belt acts directly on the axles 2 of the rollers. As showna longitudinal pit 87 is provided between the rails 4 in which the lowerleaf of the drive belt 88 extends. Projecting from the outer peripheryof the belt are spaced drive lugs 89. the spacing between which issubstantially equal to the spacing between adjoining axles. The upperleaf of the belt extends in engagement with the upper sides of rollers90 journalled on pivots 91 carried between pairs of brackets 92 restingalong the sides of the pit and retained by pegs 93 or the like.

The endless drive belt at one end passes around a tension pulley 94 andat its other end around a drive pulley 95 rotated by motor 96. To ensuresatisfactory drive at least two of the drive lugs 89 should at any timebe in engagement with a respective pair of roller axles. However, incases where the spacing between the pulleys 94 and 95 is rather short,the lower leaf of the drive belt need not be supported at intermediatepoints but may hang freely in the pit, and the bottom of the latter mayhave an intermediate deepened portion as shown at 97.

To distribute the drive force over a large number of axles in the caseof chains of conveyer elements of great length, more than one drive beltsuch as 38 each with drive lugs 89 on it may be arranged in line. Acommon motor such as 96 in FIG. 17 may serve to drive both belts of anadjacent pair.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate yet other power means for driving a conveyersystem according to the invention. In this case there is a drivingprojection 98 projecting downwardly from the center of each axle 2 (orfrom another portion of the conveyer element depending on the embodimentthereof used). Projection 98 is generally of trapezoidal form and ispreferably provided with side enlargements or bosses 98a. An endlessdrive belt 99 is again provided but the belt herein has a generallychannel section which tends to close in transversely due to inherentresiliency. The belt is passed over end pulleys 1G0 and 101 one of whichis motor driven as in the previous ern' bodiments, and further passesaround a pair of camming rollers 102 and 103 of relatively smalldiameter having a convex cross-sectional configuration. Thus, as shownin FIG. 18, the channel section of the belt is forced open by theleading one of the rollers, as at 99a, whereby the projecting member 98is allowed to engage in between the sides of the channel section Beyondthe leading roller 102 the members 98 are therefore clamped between thesides of belt 99 and are driven by the upper leaf of said belt, therebypropelling the system. On reaching the trailing roller 103 the belt isagain forced open to release the members 98. It will be noted in thiscase that the upper leaf of the drive belt 99 need not be supported bypresser rollers since said belt is retained by its clamping engagementwith the driving projections. Another advantage of this belt drive isthat the axles 2 need not be uniformly spaced.

In a modified version of this embodiment the clamping relationship maybe obtained by the use of two parallel drive belts bodily placedtogether, and guided by suitable camming means so as to be spaced apartat end portions but lie in close engagement over a relatively longintermediate portion, whereby the belts will close in around a drivingprojection of each successive truck similar to projection 98 in FIG. 18and drive the truck and will then 9 release said projection towards theend of the belt. Instead of cooperating with a vertically dependingprojection as in FIG. 18, the drive belts may cooperate in a similarmanner with a horizontal projection of the truck, such as a sideextension of the axle 2 or a side extension of the pivot 70 in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 11, the lay-out in plan of the loading end of aconveyor line according to the inventions is illustrated in one form itmay conveniently assume. The outgoing track for the loaded conveyerunits, illustrated at 1 1 and 1 is shown at 4b, while the incoming trackfor empty units is shown at 4a, the two tracks being interconnected by aloop 4c. As shown, the track section ahead of the outgoing portion 4b issubdivided into two or more parallel branches such as 4d, 4e, providingas many loading stations. Each such loading station may include, in thecase of solids being conveyed, a device 35 for opening the tubularelements and a loading device 36 provided with feeder chutes 37 or thelike overhanging the opened tubular elements. Any suitable vibratory orother means can be used in assisting the feed motion through the chutes.Beyond the loading device is a vibrator device 38 acting on thestill-open container elements to compact their contents, and beyond thatis a closing device 39 which acts to close the elements as previouslydescribed. Shunt lines '40 are provided beyond the loading stations forstoring loaded container units prior to departure.

It will be understood that the character of the devices provided at theloading stations may differ from that just indicated and will depend onthe type of goods being conveyed. Thus in the case of many kinds ofsolid materials the compacting means 33 may be superfluous and, also,the closing means 39 would be superfluous in the case of materials whichmay satisfactorily be conveyed in open condition. In the case of liquidsbeing conveyed, the loading stations may obviously comprise the fillingmeans described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4.

The other delivery end of the line may be laid out in a generallyanalogous manner. For the discharge of materials at the delivery end,the horizontal rails may be gradually bent up in a vertical plane sothat the opened tubular elements will simply dump their contents whilein motion. The empty tubular containers may then be loaded with someother materials, thereby providing for two-way transportation. Thusafter the dumping step just described the elements may be moved past awashing station where the open elements are washed and then past aloading station, where they may be filled with liquid fuel, for example,or some other commodity required at the other end of the line.

The ensuing exemplary data are given by way of illustration to highlightthe remarkable advantages of a conveying system according to theinvention over more conventional conveying means.

A mine with an extraction yield of one million tons of ore per year, canbe served by a novel conveyer system including tubular containerelements to cm. in diam eter and meters long propelled at a linear speedof from 1 to 2 meters per second. The two-way track for such a systemwould require about 20 kg. steel per linear meter, which represents onlyabout one tenth the amount of steel required per linear meter of astandard railway track. A corresponding economy is obviously alsoachieved on the sleepers, ballast and any earth-moving and building workrequired along the line.

Where the elements are provided in the form of a continuous chaindisplaced in the manner shown in FIGS. 14 to 19 by drive stations spacedalong the line, the spacing between adjacent drive stations will ofcourse depend on the cross-section profile of the line, the weight ofconveyer chain per kilometer and the permissible draft forces in saidchain. Assuming a rolling friction c0- eflicient of 3%, a weight ofconveyer element per meter equal to 50 kg. and a draft resistance of1500 kg. in the chain, it is found that on the flat the spacing betweenadjacent drive stations can be about 10 kilometers long,

such distance of course being increased in the case of down-grades anddecreased for upgrades.

It, will be understood that various modifications may be made in thespecific embodiments illustrated and described within the scope of theappended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a conveyer system for liquids comprising a track r forming aclosed loop, roller-mounted trucks riding said track and means forpropelling said trucks along said loop, at least one elongated tubularcontainer made of a semirigid yielding sheet-material, supported on aplurality of said trucks and further comprising a flexible filling pipeprojecting from its top and having a downwardly and forwardly directedinlet portion adapted for insertion into a charging tank to scoop liquidtherefrom into said container.

2. In a conveyer system for liquids according to claim 1, an elongatedliquid charging tank mounted alongside the track at a section thereofand guide means positioned ahead of said tank and adapted to coact withsaid filling pipe to guide the latter upwardly to enable it to dip intothe charging tank to scoop liquid therefrom into said container, whilepassing along said charging tank.

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